Trying out Tuta’s new privacy-focused calendar app

Tuta, a secure email provider, has released a privacy-focused calendar app called Tuta Calendar that is free for general users. I tried it to see if it could replace the calendar you currently have.

How does Tuta Calendar respect privacy?

Tuta (formerly known as Tutanota) has been around for several years. Tuta Calendar, like its sibling email service, is a secure service using zero-knowledge encryption. This means that no one but you will know your password, and only you will have access to your calendar. Tuta itself is also inaccessible. This is a big step up from services offered by Google and Microsoft, which can read all your calendar entries. Tuta also claims it is future-proof, with post-quantum security measures in place that could thwart code-breaking attempts when these advanced machines come online in the future.

As for the app, my first impressions were positive. We liked how easy Tuta Calendar was to install, and we also appreciated the customization options. It’s obvious that it’s inspired by Google, but that’s okay in this case because it makes the transition easier. If you want a more privacy-friendly calendar, Tuta Calendar is a great option.

Toota Calendar: First Impressions

Installing Tuta Calendar is easy. It’s currently available on Android (iOS will follow soon). This is the system I tested. Getting it is as easy as visiting the app store or downloading it from the Tuta website. Installation will take a few minutes. Then, just create a Tuta Mail account (or use an existing one) and you’re good to go. This is one of the best free email accounts, so you should get one anyway. .

Select a theme on the first screen that appears. I really liked the options I had here. Especially since my options weren’t limited to a barely visible dark mode and a blindingly bright light mode. I chose a calm red tone.

How to use Toota Calendar

Then you’ll see an app that looks a lot like Tuta’s big competitors, Google Calendar and Proton Calendar. To be fair, the calendar app is relatively simple, and I’m glad Tuta chose not to reinvent the wheel. You can get started right away with no adjustment period.

The monthly overview is pretty much the same as for our competitors, and so is the daily view. It’s nothing special, but I feel like the app responds a little faster than Google.

Adding new events to your calendar is similar, but somehow feels more streamlined. I can’t really pinpoint it, but for me it seems like something like this: just Enough buttons to fiddle with. Google Calendar offers too few options, or at least few that are relevant, while Proton Calendar may offer too many options. Tuta Calendar seems to have found a very comfortable middle ground, at least for me.

some differences

One feature that Tuta doesn’t offer in most other calendar apps is that it offers something called an agenda view. This just lists what you’re doing and when on a particular day, but it doesn’t have free space. It’s very simple, but I love how it allows me to quickly get an overview of a day with only a few appointments in far away locations.

Another thing that Tuta Calendar doesn’t offer, and neither do its competitors, is less positive. One thing that this app lacks is the ability to import events from other calendars. This omission is very important because it makes transitioning between calendar apps easier. At the moment, you can only add other calendars, but this is only available on paid plans. This is a big thing to skip and can impact the adoption of your app.

Should I use Tuta Calendar?

I’ve been using Tuta Calendar for a while now and I have to say I absolutely love it. I like that the app is responsive and works just like any other calendar app, only slightly better. That being said, I hope automatic switching isn’t limited to paid users only.

Still, if you’re already a Tuta Mail user, I don’t see any reason not to switch, as it gives you a much more private alternative than Google with the same experience. If you’re not already using Tuta, I think this is another good reason to at least give Secure Email a try. You may finally have an app that lets you escape from Google.